What is "balassa"

Balassa is a Hungarian surname. Notable people with the surname include:

• Bálint Balassa, Hungarian poet (1554–1594)
• Balint Balassi Memorial Sword Award, Hungarian literary award
• Béla Balassa, Hungarian economist (1928–1991) who gave his name to the Balassa-Samuelson effect
• János Balassa, Hungarian surgeon (1815–1893)